Kuwait

Gustavo Ferrari/Associated Press

Kuwait is a small oil-rich nation situated at the northern tip of the Persian Gulf. A constitutional monarchy that functions on an elected parliamentary system, Kuwait has long ranked highly among Middle East nations for its protection of civil liberties, judicial independence and freedom of expression. It played a central role in the 1991 Gulf War, during which allied forces drove occupying Iraqi troops from its borders.

Efforts to diversify Kuwait’s oil-based economy and reform its welfare system have stalled in its fractious parliament, which maintains an often hostile relationship with the government.

Learn more about Kuwait. Scroll below to view our archive of articles and chronology of latest news.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 15, 2015

Kuwait announces it will send 29 people to trial in connection with June suicide bombing of Shiite mosque that claimed lives of 27 worshipers. MORE

Jun. 29, 2015

Kuwaiti officials identify Saudi Arabian citizen Fahd Suleiman Abdul-Mohsen al-Qabaa as man who carried out suicide bombing on Shiite mosque that killed 27 people and wounded more than 200; authorities also arrest driver of car that dropped bomber off and owner of house where driver was hiding; Islamic State extremists claim responsibility for attack as well as deadly strike on Tunisian beach resort. MORE

Jun. 28, 2015

Funeral procession for 27 victims of suicide bombing at Shiite mosque in Kuwait draws thousands, both Sunnis and Shiites, jolted by first terrorist attack in the small, wealthy nation; Islamic State has taken responsibility for attack, which took place during mosque's Friday Prayer session. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Three terror attacks, perpetrated on three continents within three hours, seem to be linked only by purpose of causing substantial numbers of civilian deaths and timing of attacks, which some say indicate level of coordination; Islamic State is claiming responsibility for attacks on tourist beach in Tunisia and at mosque in Kuwait, while assailant behind assault on American-owned chemical plant in France remains unclear. MORE

Oct. 1, 2014

Kuwait is increasingly wielding its right to revoke citizenship, penalty that has long been rare in country known as most politically open of Persian Gulf monarchies; effort is part of attempt to crack down on political dissent while world's attention is focused on militant extremists in Iraq and Syria. MORE

Jul. 22, 2014

Kuwait's cabinet strips five people of their citizenship; decision involves former Islamist opposition lawmaker Abdullah al-Barshash, three of his siblings, and Ahmad al-Shemmeri, owner of independent television station Al Youm and newspaper Alam al Yawm. MORE

Jun. 11, 2014

Kuwaiti judge orders newspapers Al Watan and Alam al-Yawm to stop publishing for five days for violating media blackout of secret investigation into allegations of a coup plot to overthrow the monarchy; is second time in less than two months that such an order has been given. MORE

Nov. 13, 2013

Flow of millions of dollars in private money from countries like Kuwait to rebel fighters in Syria has added a wild-card factor to the war, exacerbating divisions in the opposition and bolstering its most extreme elements; while West has been hesitant to arm and finance rebels, fighters have flocked to Islamist militias. MORE

Sep. 6, 2013

Sheik Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, jet-setting member of the Kuwaiti royal family, has quietly become one of the most powerful people in global sports, yet remains largely overlooked outside Olympic political circles; as part of International Olympic Committee, he is likely to play a major role in all the big decisions, from which city will host the 2020 Games to which sport will be added to the roster. MORE

Jun. 17, 2013

Kuwait's Constitutional Court dissolves Parliament and calls for new elections under voting system that was rejected by the opposition, move that could increase political volatility. MORE

Apr. 16, 2013

Kuwait court sentences Musallam el-Barrak, former member of Parliament and prominent opposition figure, to five years in prison for insulting Sheik Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah during speech at political rally; ruling is latest example of way in which countries around Persian Gulf are increasingly prosecuting crime of insulting or disobeying their leaders in effort to stanch protest movements. MORE

Oct. 8, 2012

Kuwait's leader Sheik Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolves Parliament, in step toward ending political gridlock and calling the second elections this year that could again swing in favor of Islamist-led opposition groups. MORE

Sep. 26, 2012

Kuwait’s highest civilian court rejectes a government bid to rewrite the election rules, a decision that bolsters Islamist-led opposition groups. MORE

Jul. 6, 2012

Kuwait’s ruler reappoints the former prime minister, Sheik Jaber al-Hamad al-Sabah, just days after his resignation, a step toward the formation of a new government that could at least temporarily sideline opposition Islamists. MORE

Jun. 27, 2012

Thousands of Kuwaitis protest a court ruling that has effectively dissolved the country's Islamist-dominated Parliament, reinstating the previous, more government-friendly, assembly. MORE

Jun. 21, 2012

Kuwait’s constitutional court further complicates the country’s chaotic political situation, ruling that the Parliament was elected unconstitutionally and restoring the previous legislature. MORE

May. 25, 2012

International Olympic Committee says Kuwaiti athletes can compete under the Olympic flag at the 2012 London Games; Kuwait's Olympic committee has been suspended by the IOC since 2010 because of government interference. MORE

May. 18, 2012

Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, blocks a proposal by 31 of the 50 elected members of Parliament to amend the Constitution to make all legislation in the country comply with Islamic law. MORE

Dec. 7, 2011

Emir of Kuwait dissolves Parliament, setting the stage for election; the dissolution decree follows the resignation of Prime Min Sheik Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah, who has been accused of corruption by the opposition. MORE

Nov. 29, 2011

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah and his cabinet resign amid accusations of corruption and pressure for reforms from a broad coalition including Islamists and liberals. MORE

Nov. 18, 2011

Kuwaiti ruler Sheik Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah orders tighter security in the Parliament building after dozens of protesters muscle their way into the building to demand Prime Min Sheik Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah's resignation; emir, whose country has so far dodged the Arab Spring upheavals that have shaken the region, says he would not tolerate 'preplanned sabotage'. MORE

Oct. 30, 2011

Obama administration plans to bolster American military presence in the Persian Gulf after it withdraws remaining troops from Iraq; repositioning could include new combat forces in Kuwait able to respond to a collapse of security in Iraq or a military confrontation with Iran. MORE

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Delegates to an international fund-raising conference for victims of the Syrian war pledged $3.8 billion, less than half the emergency humanitarian assistance sought by the United Nations for this year.